Question

The information given represents lengths of sides of a right triangle with c the hypotenuse. Find the correct missing length to the nearest hundredth. A calculator may be helpful.

a = ?, b = 11, c = 17




A.
12.75


B.
13.20


C.
13.12


D.
12.96

Answer 1

Given:
Right triangle.
a = ? ; b = 11 ; c = 17.

Pythagorean theorem.

a² + b² = c²
a² = c² - b²
a² = 17² - 11²
a² = 289 - 121
a² = 168
a = √168
a = 12.96 Choice D.

Answer 2

`a=√(c^2-b^2)=√(17^2-11^2)=√(289-121)=√(168)=12.96`